Just when you thought Siri, the voice-enabled virtual assistant on Apple’s newest iPhone, couldn’t get more pervasive, the application showed up on last night’s episode of “The Big Bang Theory,” a surprise hit comedy on CBS about four nerds who work in the physics department at an unnamed California University.
One of the characters, Raj Koothrappali, buys an iPhone 4s from the mall. His character has always found it impossible to talk to women, but soon “falls for” and profeses to have found a soulmate in Siri because of how helpful and easy to deal with she is. That presented some funny moments as the other characters in the show start getting concerned about his unnatural connection to his phone as he starts treating Siri like a real woman.
But the real comedy ensues when a guest character, Barry Kripke, complains about the voice recognition that is the basis for Siri’s interactions. Kripke’s speech impediment provides an occasional cause to laugh, but it was especially comical when Siri acknowledged that it could not comply with his request to “wecommend a westawant.”
Where Siri will show up next is anyone’s guess, but you can bet we haven’t seen the last of it. So keep on watching, and let me know of any other famous Siri sightings.
